lusus naturae
A sportive quality in Nature to which abnormal forms were formerly ascribedA sportive quality in Nature to which abnormal forms were formerly ascribed; a supposed capricious act of Nature regarded as the cause and origin of anomalies in a given organism.
Meaning
2 senses(historical)A sportive quality in Nature to which abnormal forms were formerly ascribed; a supposed capricious act of Nature regarded as the cause and origin of anomalies in a given organism.
(countable)An organism exhibiting marked such deviation from the norm, seeming to be the result of sportive design; a freak of nature.
- a person or animal that is markedly unusual or deformed
Origin
Learned borrowing from Latin lūsus nātūrae (literally “sport of Nature”), from lūsus (“plaLearned borrowing from Latin lūsus nātūrae (literally “sport of Nature”), from lūsus (“playing, sport”) + nātūrae (“of Nature”), genitive singular of nātūra (“Nature”). Originally used to explain fossils (pre-paleontology) or abnormalities such as two-headed snakes.
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Forms
plural: lusus naturae| Singular | lusus naturae |
|---|---|
| Plural | lusus naturae |
irregular · Lesson
Synonyms
6 synonyms- a person or animal that is markedly unusual or deformed:freakmonstermonstrosity
Lessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Plural nouns — Because its plural is irregular